A Powerful Veteran Transition Story: Scott DeLuzio’s Journey from Combat to Community
Every veteran transition story is unique. Some are smooth, others are riddled with unforeseen challenges. For Army veteran Scott DeLuzio, the transition from military to civilian life was marked by loss, struggle, growth, and ultimately, purpose. His story is one that resonates with many who have worn the uniform and are now navigating life beyond it.
In this featured episode of the VET S.O.S. Podcast, co-hosts Shawn and Keith sit down with Scott to explore his powerful veteran transition story—a raw, real, and inspiring look into what it means to leave the military behind and create something meaningful from pain and adversity.
From the Battlefield to Heartbreak: A Veteran Transition Story Begins
Scott DeLuzioScott DeLuzio was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army National Guard, serving alongside his younger brother, Steven. Tragically, during the deployment, Scott received the devastating news that his brother had been killed in action—while they were both deployed in the same combat zone.
The weight of that moment can’t be overstated. Just minutes after learning of his brother’s death, Scott found himself in a firefight. That day marked the beginning of a long and painful veteran transition story—one that would shape his post-military life in ways he never expected.
After returning home, Scott faced not only emotional trauma but also physical injury. A serious knee issue left him unable to fully participate in unit training. As the months passed and his separation date neared, Scott felt increasingly alienated and worthless, attending drill weekends where he could do little more than observe others train.
“I felt useless,” Scott shares. “I wasn’t helping my unit, and I wasn’t helping myself.”
The turning point came when he discovered a lesser-known Army regulation for surviving sons and daughters, allowing him to request an early discharge due to the loss of his sibling in service. While it wasn’t a dramatic departure, the moment he found out he was officially out was jarring.
“One night I went to sleep a soldier. The next morning, I wasn’t,” he recalls. “No ceremony. No goodbyes. Just a text from my platoon sergeant saying I was done.”
The Civilian World: A Difficult Shift
Like many veterans, Scott found the transition to civilian life more difficult than expected. Though he returned to a finance job at an insurance company, the work felt monotonous and unfulfilling. Even helping with his father’s business failed to reignite his sense of purpose.
Scott’s veteran transition story quickly took a darker turn. He found himself drinking too much, struggling with insomnia, and becoming distant and irritable. Despite loving his family deeply, he admits he wasn’t being the husband or father they deserved.
Eventually, he reached a breaking point. Looking in the mirror, Scott didn’t recognize himself. “Who is this guy?” he wondered. It was then he realized he needed help—not just for himself, but for everyone who cared about him.
Creating the Drive On Podcast: Sharing the Veteran Transition Story
Out of the ashes of that painful period came something extraordinary. Scott launched the Drive On Podcast, a platform designed to share the veteran transition story of others—highlighting their struggles, triumphs, and the resources they found helpful along the way.
The podcast became a powerful outlet, not only for Scott but for countless veterans who had also felt isolated or misunderstood. Through candid interviews with fellow service members, spouses, and civilian supporters, Drive On Podcast delivers stories of hope, resilience, and actionable advice for the entire military-connected community.
Scott chose podcasting deliberately: it’s free, widely available, and accessible. “I didn’t want cost or access to be a barrier,” he says. “I wanted someone who’s struggling in the middle of the night to be able to hit play and find something they can relate to.”
His veteran transition story turned into a mission to help others navigate their own.
From Podcast to Advocacy: Supporting the GWOT Memorial Foundation
Scott’s journey didn’t stop at podcasting. He was invited to serve as a Uniformed Veteran Fellow with the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. This foundation is working to establish a national memorial in Washington, D.C. to honor all who served during the Global War on Terror.
The opportunity resonated deeply with Scott. During a visit to the National Mall in 2019, he realized that there was no memorial for his generation. “There’s a memorial for World War II, for Korea, for Vietnam—but not for us,” he remembers thinking.
His veteran transition story now includes advocacy on a national level, working to ensure the sacrifice of service members—especially those like his brother—is remembered for generations to come.
Telling His Story in Print: Surviving Son
To further share his experience and preserve his brother’s legacy, Scott authored a powerful memoir titled Surviving Son. The book is part tribute, part therapeutic reflection, and part guide for others navigating trauma, grief, and military transition.
Scott doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He dives into the emotional aftermath of combat, the complex grief of losing a sibling in war, and the day-to-day struggles of adjusting to civilian life. Yet the book is also laced with humor, love, and the unbreakable bond between brothers.
“Steven can’t tell his story,” Scott says. “So I will.”
The Challenge of Platform Dependence and Rebuilding Connections
As a podcast host, Scott recently experienced the volatility of digital platforms firsthand. When Samsung Podcasts shut down, he lost a significant portion of his audience overnight. He realized the importance of building something he could control—his own email list and direct communication channels with listeners.
This moment was another chapter in his evolving veteran transition story. It highlighted how success in post-military endeavors often requires adaptation, resilience, and ownership of your own platform—whether that’s in business, podcasting, or advocacy.
Why Scott’s Veteran Transition Story Matters
Scott’s journey is not just one of personal growth—it’s a roadmap for others. His story shows that even when your service ends abruptly, when grief consumes you, and when you feel lost, you can still find purpose. You can still lead. You can still serve.
Whether through his podcast, his book, or his work with the memorial foundation, Scott continues to impact lives and inspire others to share their own veteran transition story. His work reminds us all that healing is possible, that support is out there, and that our stories—no matter how difficult—can be the key to helping someone else.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone in Your Veteran Transition Story
The VET S.O.S. Podcast exists to remind service members and veterans that they are never alone. Scott DeLuzio’s story is one of resilience, service, and healing, and it speaks to the power of community and connection.
If you or someone you know is struggling in their transition out of the military, listen to Scott’s story. Read his book. Tune in to Drive On Podcast. And remember: your story matters too.
Explore More
🎙 Drive On Podcast: https://driveonpodcast.com
📖 Surviving Son on Amazon
🏛 Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation: https://gwotmemorialfoundation.org
🔗 VET S.O.S. Podcast: https://vetsospodcast.com
